1.A Arden Village Workforce Housing Concept

Home Browse Search

Sustainable Construction Arden Village will follow the Minnesota Overlay to the Green Communities Criteria that establishes standards in green building design and construction. Minnesota Green Communities is a collaboration of the Greater Minnesota Housing Fund, the Family Housing Fund and Enterprise designed to foster the creation of healthier and more energy efficient housing throughout Minnesota. The initiative supports the production of housing with markedly reduced energy costs, use of materials beneficial to the environment, conversation mined land use planning and attention to the creation of healthy environments and lifestyles for individuals, children, families and communities. These standards emphasize an integrated design process that involves the developer, architect, engineers, contractor, building management team and LEED Accredited Professional from the very beginning of the design process. The design of Arden Village will involve all parties of the project including Sand Companies, Inc.'s on -staff LEED Accredited Professional. The project standards will focus on location and neighborhood fabric, site improvements, water conservation, energy efficiency, beneficial materials selections, a healthy living environment and operation and management practice. Examples for Arden Village will include efficient land use, use of Energy Star appliances, water conserving plumbing fixtures, high efficiency heating systems, extensive use of florescent lighting, and carpets manufactured from recycled soda bottles. Green or sustainable building strategies are intended to increase resource efficiency and reduce environmental impacts, but they can also yield cost savings through long-term reductions in operating expenses. Increased energy performance, comfort of occupants and a healthier indoor environment are the major benefits, but increased durability of building components and simplified maintenance requirements can lead to financial efficiencies for the development. Sand Companies, Inc. believes in "building green with common sense ", rather than scoring points on abstract scales. Property Management Good property management is the key to a successful rental community. Sand Companies, Inc., who currently manages 675 rental units and seventeen select service hotels, will manage the day-to-day and ongoing operations of Arden Village. Sand Companies, Inc. started in the business of residential property management in 1998 when it became challenged with poor third party management and maintenance of its properties. Since Sand Companies, Inc. is a long-term owner of its properties, high quality management practices are the goal and the standard. With hands-on management, potential property and resident problems are headed off and the continual practice of preventive maintenance preserves the long-term quality of the developments. A visit to any of the sites managed by Sand Companies, Inc. will show how important attention to detail is to the company. Arden Village Proposed Development 5